The Terror

Staff Pick

This book is based factually on the missing Franklin expedition, last seen by Europeans in July of 1845. The HMS Erabus and the ill-named HMS Terror were the space shuttles of their day, and Dan Simmons spins a haunting and suspenseful tale of this exploration. Based on archaeological evidence found in the past 20 years, and on his own vivid gothic imagination, Simmons has recreated in a stunningly addictive read, what possibly happened to this crew.Recommended by Ted, Powells.com

Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments:

Greeted with excited critical praise, this extraordinary novel-inspired by the true story of two ice ships that disappeared in the Arctic Circle during an 1845 expedition-swells with the heart-stopping suspense and heroic adventure that have won Dan Simmons praise as "a writer who not only makes big promises but keeps them" (Seattle Post-Intelligencer). The Terror chills readers to the core.

Review:

Review:

"In the hands of a lesser writer than Dan Simmons, The Terror might well have dissolved into a series of frigid days and three-dog nights. But Simmons is too good a writer to ignore the real gold in his story-its beleaguered cast." Bookpage

Review:

"Guaranteed to have readers pulling their covers up to their noses, The Terror will make for a blood-freezing, bedtime read this winter-and any season thereafter." Pages

Mary McNeil, September 13, 2014 (view all comments by Mary McNeil)
An incredible read ! The complete loss of Lord Franklin's expedition has intrigued me since I first heard "The Ballad of Lord Franklin" years ago. This search for The Northwest Passage pretty much fell victim to Murphy's Law ("If anything can go wrong, it will!")from its organizing. You don't have to be versed in the history to appreciate the story, however. Instead of the typical horror story reaction of "Don't open that door!" it will be "Don't set off for the Arctic as winter is approaching!"

In a sidebar: with the melting of the Arctic ice, an underwater expedition has just discovered one of Franklin's two ships - they can't tell yet if it is the "Erebus" or the "Terror."

Check out Simmons's other books too!

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This book is based factually on the missing Franklin expedition, last seen by Europeans in July of 1845. The HMS Erabus and the ill-named HMS Terror were the space shuttles of their day, and Dan Simmons spins a haunting and suspenseful tale of this exploration. Based on archaeological evidence found in the past 20 years, and on his own vivid gothic imagination, Simmons has recreated in a stunningly addictive read, what possibly happened to this crew.

"Review"
by Bookpage,
"In the hands of a lesser writer than Dan Simmons, The Terror might well have dissolved into a series of frigid days and three-dog nights. But Simmons is too good a writer to ignore the real gold in his story-its beleaguered cast."

"Review"
by Pages,
"Guaranteed to have readers pulling their covers up to their noses, The Terror will make for a blood-freezing, bedtime read this winter-and any season thereafter."

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